Webinar: Integrated weed management panel and discussion

A systems approach to managing weeds in organic production is crucial. Weeds can be particularly challenging in organic production. So it is important to integrate the many different practices available to farmers to suppress and remove weeds. Join this session to hear from Rick Clark and his experience controlling weeds on a thousand acres in Indiana. Plus, Jamie Israel form 3Gen will share his insights from an Ontario perspective.

Rick Clark: Change-maker Rick Clark offers a practical, proven example of how regenerative farming methods can transform global agriculture… and so much more! Rick Clark is a 5th generation farmer from Williamsport, IN. The main goal on the farm is to build soil health and achieve balance with Mother Nature. Rick has developed and is constantly improving a systematic approach to regenerative farming. He is most proud of incorporating regenerative farming practices with all acres being certified organic. He calls it regenerative organic stewardship with no tillage. He will suppress weeds and build soil health with cover crops and no tillage. Rick also cares deeply about human health, as it is another important driver behind the organic no till style of farming. Rick is building a system that will be viable and profitable for generations to come.

Jamie Israel: 3Gen Organics, named for the three generations who own and operate the farm – takes a holistic and systems-based approach to farming. With this holistic approach, the Israels began to transition their entire operation to organic in 2015. Over the course of the next five years, they certified their hog operation and all their fields and continued to grow their business by renting new land in the area. They are able to make cover crops work with any of their field crops and even seed a four-species blend into their standing corn while maintaining strong yields. “[The] cover crop looks great and helps break down corn residue, and we’re still getting 150-180 bushel corn.” Currently they grow soft red winter wheat, hard red spring wheat, winter and spring barley, cereal rye, hybrid rye, triticale and peas for forage production. Most of the grain and all of the forage is fed to the pigs, either fresh or ensiled. They are able to market most of their wheat locally through 1847, a Foodland Ontario artisan miller in Fergus.

Mary–Howell Martens: Mary and her family farm 2000 acres of certified organic grain, forage and dairy in upstate New York. They have been certified organic since 1992. Additionally, she owns and operates Lakeview Organic Grain, an organic seed and animal feed operation serving dairy, poultry and vegetable farmers throughout the Northeast.   She served on the USDA Advisory Committee for Agricultural Biotechnology, the Cornell University Dean’s Advisory committee, and the NOFA-NY Board of Directors.  In earlier years, she worked in the grape breeding program at Cornell University and taught biology and plant physiology at Finger Lakes Community College.  She has a BS in Horticultural Science from North Carolina State University, and a MS in Plant Breeding/Vegetable Crops from Cornell University.  She also loves to bake with home-grown, home-ground grains!